Gusdai t1_jai2430 wrote
Reply to comment by commentist in German scientists show a commercially feasible method for cyanobacteria to extract 17 rare earth elements from low-concentration sources. Currently, most of the world's supply of these elements is mined in China. by lughnasadh
It takes a couple of years to shift, because it takes a lot of infrastructure (and planning) to mine and refine.
But remember when China talked of export quotas on these minerals, to punish certain countries (Japan at the time)? That was a couple of years ago, and countries started developing their own supply already, because they understood the problem. So China doesn't have the same leverage anymore.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments